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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Welcome to the most recent edition of my monthly e-newsletter!
Thank you for allowing me to represent you in the Michigan Senate. I am grateful each and every day to work for the people of the 32nd Senate District.
This email highlights the important work we have been doing in Lansing this past month.
Sincerely,
Jon Bumstead
State Senator
32nd District
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Michigan Budget Passes through Legislature
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In the evening hours of June 28, the Michigan Legislature passed the general fund budget and the school aid budget, both bills are now awaiting the governor’s signature.
The general fund budget, House Bill 4437, and the school aid budget, Senate Bill 173, passed both chambers and received immediate effect. After months of work and negotiations, both parties were able to come together and agree on certain aspects to pass this budget to avoid a government shutdown.
This budget certainly is not perfect. I don’t support spending to grow government; however, we were able to make significant investments that matter to our state and will positively impact each resident.
As minority vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I was able to fight for priorities that impact all Michiganders as well as bring meaningful investments back home to the 32nd Senate District.
Priorities across Michigan:
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• $200 million toward the state’s higher education school employee’s retirement system debt.
• Funding for schools to hire school resource officers to keep our kids safe.
• A $458 increase to the per-pupil foundation allowance.
• No cuts to Michigan’s cyber schools, which are utilized by families across our state.
• More than $215 million to repair the local roads and bridges.
• Over $500 million for drinking water and wastewater improvement projects.
• Limiting tuition increases at Michigan’s public universities and community college to 4.5% and penalizing any school that exceeds that amount.
• Investments made into our beautiful state parks.
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• $2.2 million for improvements to Benzie County’s 911 tower in Frankfort.
• A $780,000 public infrastructure grant for Oceana County Community Recreational Park in Shelby Township.
• $18 million for the regional housing rehabilitation at the historic Shaw-Walker factory site in Muskegon.
• $1 million for Muskegon Historic Building Renovation.
• $8 million for improvements to Broadway Avenue in Muskegon Heights.
• $1.9 million for Muskegon County Airport roof replacement.
• $1 million for the preservation of the Hackley Administration Building in Muskegon.
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Fostering Futures scholarships available
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The Fostering Futures scholarship is a fantastic way for students to continue their education beyond high school. Young adults who have experienced foster care on or after age 13 are eligible to apply for a Fostering Futures scholarship.
The application period for the 2023-24 academic year is currently available, and the priority deadline is Aug. 1. Eligible students enrolled at a Michigan degree-granting college or university may now apply to receive scholarship funds for tuition, fees, room, board, books and supplies.
Find more information at the Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund.
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If your summer plans include visiting one of Michigan’s state parks, be sure to review the Department of Natural Resources’ updated beach flag warning system.
A new DNR land order makes it illegal to enter the water when there is a risk to human health and safety. Risks can include hazardous waves and/or dangerous water conditions, active rescue or recovery efforts and environmental hazards. These rules do not apply to surfers using wind-powered or self-propelled wave-riding boards.
The Great Lakes flag warning system is in place at state-designated swim beaches to advise visitors of current water conditions or environmental warnings. The updated system now includes:
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• Double red flags = Water access closed. Do not enter the water, dangerous conditions.
• Red flag = High hazard. High surf and/or strong currents. It's recommended that you stay on the beach.
• Yellow flag = Medium hazard. Moderate surf and/or currents. Watch for dangerous currents and high waves.
• Green flag = Low hazard. Calm conditions. Enter the water, but exercise caution.
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Visit Michigan.gov/BeachSafety to check current swim risk, learn about designated swim areas or for more information about the Great Lakes beach flag warning system.
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As part of the fiscal year 2023 budget, the Michigan Legislature appropriated $12 million to establish and operate the MI Fire Equipment Grant Program.
Grant awards of up to $10,000 are available to eligible fire departments in cities, villages, townships or tribal governments or commissions. The application period is now open. Applications are accepted through the Michigan Department of Treasury through July 10.
Additional information, answers to FAQs, program guidelines, and application materials are available at Michigan.gov/MIFireEquipmentGrant.
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There is no better way to end a summer day than a campfire with friends to roast marshmallows, make smores, and enjoy a crisp Michigan night.
But a campfire that is not closely monitored and extinguished carefully can quickly become dangerous. To keep your family, guests, and the environment around you safe, please keep these campfire safety tips in mind:
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• Build your fire in a campfire ring or space surrounded by bare earth.
• Always keep a water source and a metal shovel nearby.
• Never leave a fire unattended, even for a minute.
• When it’s time to turn in for the night, drench your fire with water, stir the ashes and drench again to make sure it’s completely out.
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Changes to deer regulations approved
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The Natural Resources Commission and Department of Natural Resources approved new deer regulations at their June 8 meeting that will be in effect for the 2023-2025 hunting seasons.
While many of the regulations remained the same, there were a few important updates made.
Updated regulations include:
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• Restricted tag of the deer combo license. A four-point antler point restriction on the restricted tag of the deer combo license has been reinstated in 19 Lower Peninsula counties. All deer combo licenses in the southern Lower Peninsula counties will now have an unrestricted regular tag and a four-point restricted tag.
• Liberty Hunt. Hunters participating in the Liberty Hunt will now be allowed to harvest more than one deer. While the limit for bucks remains at one, hunters can pursue multiple antlerless deer.
• Upper Peninsula Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance Zone. The zone has been removed. As a result, hunters in this area can resume baiting and feeding practices. The hunter’s choice antler point regulations, which include an unrestricted tag for the deer license and point restrictions for the regular and restricted tags on the deer combo license, are now reinstated.
• Late archery season and crossbows. The proposal to allow crossbows in the late archery season in the Upper Peninsula was rejected. This includes hunters in the previous CWD Surveillance Zone where crossbow use in the late-season use was allowed.
• Antlerless harvest in northern deer management units (DMU). The proposal to reinstate antlerless harvest opportunities in several northern DMUs was rejected. The only exceptions are qualified individuals during the Liberty Hunt and through Deer Management Assistance Permits, when authorized.
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For more on deer management, hunting opportunities and more, visit Michigan.gov/deer.
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The DNR wants to hear from you!
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The Department of Natural Resources is seeking public input as part of its multiyear state land review process.
The Managed Public Land Strategy, approved for implementation in September 2018, requires the DNR to review approximately 240,000 acres of state-owned land to determine which parcels allow the department to provide the highest quality public access to outdoor recreation opportunities while also protecting the natural and cultural resources on those lands.
The current areas of the state under review include the counties of Baraga, Benzie, Clare, Clinton, Genesee, Ionia, Manistee, Mecosta, Newaygo, Shiawassee and Wayne.
There are several ways for the public to provide input:
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• View the state land review public comments map. The map is interactive and allows members of the public to leave comments and view the comments left by others.
• Attend an upcoming meeting of the Natural Resources Commission. The next NRC meeting will be held on July 13, 2023, and there will be time allotted for public comments.
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Bumstead highlights upcoming events in the 32nd District
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Frankfort 4th of July Carnival
Friday, June 30 — Tuesday, July 4
10 a.m. — 11 p.m.
Open Space Park
Frankfort
Description: Annual old-fashioned carnival with games, rides and food. Location: Open Space Park on Betsie Bay. More information here.
Country Dairy Super Social
Saturday, July 1
11 a.m. — 7 p.m.
Country Dairy
3476 S. 80th Ave.
New Era
Description: This full-day event is packed full of family fun, Christian music, ice cream, cows and more! More information here.
West Shore Art Fair
Saturday, July 1 — Sunday, July 2
10 a.m. — 5 p.m.
Rotary Park
100 N. Lewis St.
Ludington
Description: Now in its 55th year, the WSAF is known as one of the top fine art fairs in the state of Michigan, featuring jury-selected fine artists across a variety of media. More information here.
Independence Day at Crystal Mountain
Saturday, July 1 — Tuesday, July 4
All Day
Crystal Mountain
12500 Crystal Mountain Drive
Thompsonville
Description: We're celebrating our independence in good old fashioned red, white and blue style. More information here.
Michigan Farm Pyro Fireworks
Saturday, July 3
7 p.m.
Ramthun Road
Montague
Description: Fireworks show. More information here.
Frankfort Art in the Park
Tuesday, July 4
10 a.m. — 3 p.m.
517 Main St.
Frankfort
Description: Craft and art fair during our July 4th activities on the beautiful Betsie Bay. More information here.
Frankfort 4th of July Parade
Tuesday, July 4
10 a.m. — 1 p.m.
Main Street
Frankfort
Description: Annual Fourth of July Parade with the 2023 theme: Sesqui-Centennial — the Lowering of Crystal Lake (1873-2023). More information here.
Manistee Independence Day Parade
Tuesday, July 4
10 a.m. — 1 p.m.
Downtown Manistee
Description: The parade will start on Division Street and River Street and will finish at First Street/Armory Youth Project parking lot. More information here.
White Lake 4th of July Parade
Tuesday, July 4
10 a.m.
Downtown Whitehall and Montague
Description: Beginning at 10 a.m., join us for the White Lake Area 4th of July Parade! The parade route travels from Whitehall City Hall to Montague City Hall. More information here.
Ludington Area Jaycees Freedom Festival
Tuesday, July 4
2 — 11 p.m.
Downtown Ludington
Description: This annual event is the quintessential Independence Day celebration. The parade steps off at 2 p.m. Fireworks at dusk will be visible from any Ludington beach. More information here.
4th of July Fireworks
Tuesday, July 4
10:20 — 11 p.m.
Downtown Muskegon
Description: Bring your blankets and lawn chairs for this family-friendly event under the stars. More information here.
Ludington Offshore Classic
Monday, July 10 — Sunday, July 16
5 — 6 p.m.
Waterfront Park
391 S. William St.
Ludington
Description: This premier fishing tournament on Lake Michigan welcomes over 200 anglers to the Ludington area for a week of offshore fishing for a chance to win cash and big fish prizes. More information here.
Fish Fry Fundraiser for American Legion Post 531
Friday, July 14
5 — 7 p.m.
18483 Cadillac Hwy.
Copemish
Description: Adults $15, Kids 12 and under $8. Dinner includes cod, pan fish or chicken and fixins: fries, cole slaw, roll, and dessert with punch and coffee available. Cash Bar. More information here.
Kids Power of Produce at Muskegon Farmers Market
Saturday, July 15
10 a.m. — 12 p.m.
296 W. Webster Ave.
Muskegon
Description: Join the Muskegon Museum of Art at the Muskegon Farmers Market for a hands-on art activity with the Kids Power of Produce Program. More information here.
Read with Skye and Friends!
Wednesday, July 19
1 — 2 p.m.
Betsie Valley District Library
4744 Thompson Ave.
Thompsonville
Description: Read with Skye and Friends! Don and Cecelia are bringing these super-duper friends to the BVDL! Read a favorite story from home or pick out a book from the Library! They would love to see you! More information here.
Animals Need Animals! at Hackley Library
Thursday, July 20
2 p.m.
316 W. Webster Ave.
Muskegon
Description: Learn about animals and how they interact in the wild. Presented by Outdoor Discovery Center. Live animals, taxidermy, and artifacts will be used during this presentation at Hackley Library. Free! More Information here.
Muddy Fox Trot 5K Mud Run and Obstacle Course
Saturday, July 22
9 a.m. — 12 p.m.
West Shore Community College
3000 N. Stiles Road
Scottville
Description: This event is free for WSCC students and anyone under age 16. A 1-Mile Fun Run is available for ages 4 and older. More Information here.
Benzie Bayou: Blues Fundraiser for Grow Benzie
Friday, July 28
4 — 11 p.m.
1120 Furnace St.
Elberta
Description: Internationally renowned musicians perform blues, jazz, and zydeco music with food vendors cooking up southern style cuisine (from Michigan ingredients when possible). More information here.
RunIt 5K
Saturday, July 29
9 — 11:30 a.m.
124 W. Hanson St.
Whitehall
Description: White Lake Nutrition is hosting their second 5K, RunIt (Run White Lake) 5K, and supporting another year of proceeds going toward a scholarship in Ava VanderStelt’s name. More Information here.
Let’s Go Fly a Kite
Saturday, July 29
9 — 11:30 a.m.
Lake Michigan Turn Around
Frankfort
Description: Free kites on Lake Michigan Beach. More information here.
Music Sparks Meaning - Summer Sun Sets
Sunday, July 30
6 — 9 p.m.
First Street Beach Gazebo
Manistee
Description: New Manistee-based nonprofit organization, Music Sparks Meaning, brings you an evening of live music at First Street Beach! Providing local students, the opportunity to collaborate and perform with professionally touring musician. More information here.
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Senator Jon Bumstead
4600 Connie B. Binsfeld Office Building
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536
Visit my website at: SenatorJonBumstead.com
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